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BRUSSELS, October 13 (FENA) - There are different political views on NATO accession within Bosnia and Herzegovina. But our doors are open to all partners interested in access and meeting the necessary conditions for membership. When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also other potential partners, when and whether the country will join NATO depends on the political will and commitment of that country, a senior NATO official in Brussels told reporters.
He points out that NATO is ready to provide full support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it depends on our country's ambition and dedication.
As FENA’s reporter learns from Brussels, the NATO official also mentioned the extension of the mandate of the Althea mission, stressing that he did not want to talk in advance about what their reaction would be if Russia vetoed the extension of that mandate, but added that it is very important that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not leave this "security vacuum".
“The Western Balkans, but also Bosnia and Herzegovina, is of strategic importance for NATO, but also for the European Union. We hope to extend that mandate to have a stable and safe Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
In light of the changed security environment in Europe, the NATO official recalled the increased adapted political and practical support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which only a few countries still have, and which is important for BiH because, as he says, it shows that the goal is to increase and maintain cooperation between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the context of BiH's defense support package, the NATO official underlined that prevention is better than cure and that this engagement is beneficial to BiH's security. Still, he also emphasized that this package also consists of political measures.
In the end, he expressed the outstanding commitment of NATO in intensifying the political dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that NATO officials have recently been traveling to our country more often, but also that they hold such meetings in Brussels, to recognize Bosnia and Herzegovina's needs and detect concerns which citizens face.
(FENA) A. B.
